18 November 2024: Hit the Road, Jack! (Or Should We Say, Hit the Road, Toyota Fortuner!)
Today marked the official start of the road trip section of our Thailand 2024/2025 adventure—cue the epic road trip playlist and the smell of fresh highway air!
First up, a big shoutout to Budget Chiang Mai for delivering our sleek black Toyota Fortuner right on time at 10 a.m. We’ve been loyal customers for seven years straight, and honestly, it’s not just the cars that keep us coming back—it’s the smiles and top-notch service from their team. Thanks, guys!
After the customary “we’re about to embark on an epic journey” photos (because if you didn’t post it on our web page, did it even happen?), we hit the road. Destination: Uttaradit, a 250-kilometer drive down Highway 11, taking about 3.5 hours. Our trusty Fortuner’s odometer read 35,830 kilometres—let the adventures begin!
Since today’s drive was relatively short, we stuck to the usual road trip essentials: PTT for fuel station, 7-Eleven for snacks (because no Thai road trip is complete without a bag of weird and wonderful chips), and the occasional comfort stop. By 2:15 p.m., we rolled into Uttaradit, ready to explore.
First up, we wandered around the town center and stumbled upon the Pak Kek Kow Bia Chao Por Sue Shrine. The dragon heads here were absolutely stunning—vibrant colors, intricate designs, and just the right amount of “wow” factor. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!
Now, let’s talk about a game-changer: the **KFC Thailand app**. Yes, you read that right. As English speakers in a Thai-speaking land, ordering food can sometimes feel like a game of charades. But this app? Pure genius. No language barriers, no awkward pointing—just crispy, delicious chicken. Highly recommend!
By 3 p.m., we checked into our hotel. Little did we know, we’d accidentally booked the hotel with what might be the hardest beds in all of Thailand. Seriously, we’re pretty sure they were carved out of stone. But hey, it’s all part of the adventure, right?
After settling in (and maybe doing a few stretches to recover from the beds), we took a stroll to the local railway station. It was a charming little spot, perfect for soaking in the local vibe. By 4 p.m., we were back at the hotel, resting up for the evening.
Come 6 p.m., hunger struck, and we headed to the Municipality Market 5. This place was buzzing with energy, delicious smells, and plenty of local Thai food. We grabbed some tasty dishes, found a table, and dug in. It was the perfect way to end our first day on the road.
19 November 2024: Mountains, Borders, and Waterfalls – Oh My!
Today’s mission: Trade highways for hilltops! Instead of zipping straight to Phitsanulok (a mere hop away), we veered off to explore the wild, wobbly wonders of the mountains and a sneaky border crossing or two. Spoiler: It was way more entertaining than expected. Buckle up!
After fuelling up at PTT (and our stomachs with 7-Eleven snacks), we zigzagged into the mountains. By 9 a.m., we stumbled upon Wat Wang Pha Chan—a tiny temple either under construction or getting a fabulous makeover. Its fresh golden paint was blindingly glorious. Think of it as a temple’s “Instagram vs. Reality” moment, but all reality was *still* stunning.
By 10 a.m., Steve’s caffeine meter hit “critical.” Enter: Café Amazon, Thailand’s roadside lifesaver. One cappuccino later, Steve was revived and ready to tackle the mountain roads. Pro tip: Never underestimate the power of coffee + air con in a tropical climate.
As we drove, the mountains showed off their battle scars from recent floods. Bridges were washed out, replaced by rickety temporary fixes that made us whisper, “You go first…” to the car ahead. Mother Nature: 1, Road Crews: Working on it.
Borderline Shenanigans
First border pitstop: Thai-Laos Border Trading Market. Verdict? *Ghost town*. Shops closed, no one around except for a friendly border official. But hey, we found a viewpoint near Bo Bia (a town that’s basically doing the splits across the border) and snapped pics like we’d discovered Narnia.
Fun Fact of the Day: Google Translate revealed a sign warning against bringing alcohol, tobacco, or PLAYING CARDS into Thailand. Wait, what?
Turns out, Thailand’s 1943 Playing Cards Act is a thing. Who knew poker nights were a felony?
Next, Phudoo border crossing—actual humans and trucks! Peeked into Laos and saw roads that looked like they’d been chewed by a T-Rex. Suddenly, Thailand’s “temporary” bridges felt luxurious.
Finally, Phu Soi Dao National Park! Most Thai waterfalls we’ve seen are drier than a dad joke, but this one? Flowing, lush, and actually wet. Victory!
By 5 p.m., we rolled into Phitsanulok and checked into Hotel B2—a familiar favourite with beds that don’t double as plywood (looking at you, Uttaradit). Dinner? Our go-to spot with the Massaman Curry of the Gods. No guesses needed—we inhaled it like it was our job.
20 November 2024: Rice Fields, Mountain Thrills, and a Bat-Less Sunset
Today’s agenda: Swap highways for rice paddies and mountain backroads! We set off for Noen Maprang, a hidden gem in Phitsanulok Province where emerald-green fields collide with jagged mountain ranges. Think of it as Mother Nature’s version of a dramatic soap opera—minus the bad acting.
Temple with a View
By 12:30 p.m., we rolled up to Wat Sathan Tham Chaloempas, a temple so vibrantly painted it looked like it had rained rainbows. The star of the show? A serene Buddha statue perched like a VIP, overseeing the rice paddies and mountains like, Yep, I’ve got the best seat in the house.”
Mountain Road Yoga
Next, we zigzagged along country roads that seemed to be doing yoga poses—sharp twists, steep inclines, and views so stunning they’d make a postcard jealous. The mountains here don’t just “rise”; they leap out of the earth like they’re auditioning for Thailand’s Got Topography.
Hotel in the Middle of Nowhere (But in a Good Way)
By 3 p.m., we arrived at our hotel, tucked so perfectly into the landscape it felt like we’d checked into a nature documentary. The vibe? “Yes, we have Wi-Fi, but please ignore the roosters singing karaoke at dawn.”
Sunset, Bats, and Plot Twists
We settled in just in time for sunset—a pastel-coloured masterpiece that painted the sky in cotton-candy pinks, peaches, and lavenders. It was like the universe had flipped on a Instagram filter just for us. Now, here’s the twist: Noen Maprang is famous for its bat exodus at dusk, where thousands of bats pour out of caves like a winged river. But today? Crickets. Well, literal crickets. The bats were apparently on strike (or vacationing in Phuket).
Dinner Delights:
Not ones to wallow in bat-less despair, Alison ventured out and returned with a feast of local Thai dishes—think fragrant curries, spring rolls, and ice creams to build a pillow fort. We hauled our loot to the tiny balcony, cracked open a couple of frosty Chang beers, and toasted to the day’s adventures. Between bites, we marveled at the fading pastel sky and the symphony of frogs tuning up for their nightly concert.
21 November 2024: Dragons, Bridges, and a Night of Noodles in Korat
Rise and shine! Today kicked off with breakfast on our mountain-view balcony—a spread of fresh fruit, Americana breakfast, and coffee that tasted 10x better with that scenery. Bonus: The beds were so gloriously comfy, we briefly considered adopting them as permanent travel companions.
By 10:30 a.m., we checked out and hit the road toward Korat (aka Nakhon Ratchasima, but let’s stick to the nickname). But Thailand, being the overachiever it is, threw us a curveball: a Chinese dragon parade in the teeny-tiny Wang Pong Sub District. Obviously, we screeched to a halt faster than you can say free snacks.
The dragon—a glittery, flappy masterpiece—was carried by 20 performers down the main street. They zigzagged into shops, blessed businesses, set off ear-splitting firecrackers (RIP, eardrums), collected payments, and sashayed onward. It was like a mix of Mardi Gras, a street fair, and a dragon’s LinkedIn networking event. 10/10, would pull over again.
Drowned Bridge (Sort Of):
Next up: the Wooden Bridge at Bueng Lahan Lake. The water was so high, the bridge looked like it was auditioning for Titanic 2. Sadly, no water lilies—just us staring longingly at the lake, muttering, Maybe next time, lilies. Maybe next time.
Korat Glam:
By 4 p.m., we rolled into the Centara Hotel—a swanky oasis next to a mega shopping center.
Priority one: FOOD. Steve demolished a green curry with omelette (because why not carb-load with eggs?), while Alison went full Northern Thailand with a curry noodle soup so good, it deserved a standing ovation. And because no meal is complete without liquid courage, Alison snagged a couple of Chang beers to toast the day’s chaos.
The hotel? Pure bliss. Soft beds, air con that actually works, and a shower with water pressure that could power a small village. We’re basically living like royalty now.
22 November 2024: Trucks on Trucks, Temples, and Classic Car Sneak Peeks
Today was the final day of pre-car-show exploring, and Thailand delivered its usual mix of “wait, *what*?!” moments. Let’s dive in!
Breakfast of Champions (and Car Enthusiasts):
We kicked things off with a buffet breakfast at Centara Hotel so epic, it could’ve fed a small army. Think: pancakes, tropical fruits, and enough coffee to power a road trip.
By 9:30 a.m., we bid farewell to Centara Korat—thanks for the comfy beds and the air con that didn’t judge our snack hoarding!
Oddity of the Day:
By 11:30 a.m., Thailand’s “anything is possible” vibe hit us again. Picture this: a Hino truck cab chilling in the back of a Triton Ute. Yep, a truck… on a truck. We stared, blinked, and muttered, “Only in Thailand, folks.” Cue the obligatory photo op and a solid LOL.
Temple Time:
Next up: Sihanakhon Temple, aka Thailand’s answer to Angkor Wat. This place is massive—a sprawling, half-built masterpiece that’s equal parts awe and “how is this even real?!” We wandered for an hour, dodging construction crews and marveling at intricate carvings. Pro tip: Wear comfy shoes. And maybe a hard hat.
Car Show Countdown:
At 2 p.m., we snagged our tickets for the 5th Annual Chang Classic Car Festival in Buriram. Couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at the cars rolling in—vintage beauties, shiny chrome, and engines purring like happy cats. We ogled for an hour, mentally drafting our “which car would I steal?” list. (Don’t worry, we’re law-abiding. Mostly.)
Hotel Life & Dinner Routine:
Checked into our hotel for the next few nights—cue the happy dance over luggage-free floors. Dinner was at Robinsons, where Steve inhaled pad Thai like it was his last meal, and Alison debated buying out the entire dessert counter. (Spoiler: She didn’t. Yet.)
Early night for these road warriors—tomorrow’s all about classic cars, engine revs, and pretending we know the difference between a carburetor and a coffee maker.